Hood jobs we take on
- Under-cabinet hoods swapped for quieter, stronger models
- Insert hoods fitted into existing custom hood shells
- Chimney hoods remounted on the existing duct
- Microwave-hood combos replaced on the same outlet
- Sticky dampers and loose duct joints at the hood repaired
- Filters, lights and switches replaced on hoods that are otherwise fine
Kitchens in older San Gabriel homes
Kitchens in houses from the 1920s to 1950s, the era the Historic Resources Survey describes for much of San Gabriel, were rarely built with a vented hood. Many got one in a later update; others still have a fan in the wall or a recirculating hood that only filters grease.
The California Air Resources Board recommends checking that your hood vents outdoors and using it whenever you cook, and says a high-efficiency hood has a high cfm rating and a low sones rating. Its combustion guidelines note that most hood filters can go in the dishwasher once they look grimy.
How the job goes
Look up and out
We find where the duct leaves the house and check that the cap flap opens. A blocked cap makes even a new hood useless.
Take down the old hood
With the breaker off, the old hood is disconnected and lowered, and grease is cleaned off the duct collar.
Hang and connect
The new hood is fastened into cabinet or wall framing, joined to the duct with foil tape, and wired in its junction box.
Prove the draft
A tissue at the filter shows the pull; we check every speed and the lights.
What goes to others
New ducts through a roof or wall, new circuits, and any gas work at the range go to other trades.
What to text
Photos of the current hood, the cabinet above it, the roof or wall cap if you can see it, and the new hood’s model.
Range hood questions
My kitchen has a plaster soffit over the stove. Can a hood go there?
If there is a duct opening and a junction box or outlet, an insert or under-cabinet hood can fit. We look first.
Do you install charcoal filters for recirculating hoods?
Yes, when that is the only option until a duct is added.
Will a stronger hood make the house drafty?
A high-cfm hood can pull hard. Opening a window slightly while cooking balances the air, which CARB also notes for large exhaust fans.
Can you move the light switch for the hood?
Only if the wiring already reaches. A new switch location goes to an electrician.
What do cfm and sones mean?
Cfm is how much air the fan moves; sones measure noise. CARB suggests high cfm and low sones.
My hood just blows air back into the kitchen. Can you fix that?
That is a recirculating hood. If a duct exists, we can fit a vented one. If not, a duct must be added first.
Can you install a hood insert in a plaster hood?
Yes, where the shell has a duct opening and an outlet or junction box.
How do I keep the hood working well?
Clean the filters when they look grimy and run the hood every time you cook.
Do you remove the old hood?
Yes, and haul it away if you like.
Will a new hood be quieter?
Usually. Modern hoods list sones on the box, and lower is quieter.
Kitchen tips for San Gabriel homes
- Slow kitchen drains, leaky traps and tired disposalsHow we fix slow kitchen drains, leaking traps and worn-out disposals in older San Gabriel kitchens with mixed old and new plumbing.
- Cabinet doors that sag, stick or will not closeHow we fix sagging, sticking and loose cabinet doors in older San Gabriel kitchens, from site-built wood cabinets to later replacements.
We’re a handyman in San Gabriel for small repairs like this one, with an upfront price by text.
This job sits in our electrical fixture swaps group. For other repairs, see the services overview, or start with the repair guide for San Gabriel’s older homes.